THE Council of Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) is currently consulting on proposals to close St. Mary’s High School in Brollagh at the end of next summer.

A previous proposal by the CCMS to close the school, which is located outside Belleek, was rejected by then Education Minister, John O’Dowd, in June 2014.

Speaking at the time, Mr. O’Dowd said he had taken into account the school’s isolated rural location and wanted further investigation of opportunities for a cross-border area learning community with schools in south Donegal.

However, the CCMS has confirmed this week that it is now proposing to close St. Mary’s High School with effect from August 31, 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.

A CCMS spokesperson said a written consultation period with the school community was now underway.

The spokesperson said that all responses should be returned on or before Friday, March 10.

In a joint statement released this week, St. Mary’s principal Michael Quigley and the Board of Governors said that the school was “open for business”.

They said: “We will continue to offer the first class academic and pastoral provision that we are renowned for. The school’s contribution to this community and rural education, cannot be questioned.

“We have now entered a consultation process, a process that the school has managed in the past. This will give staff, governors, parents and pupils an opportunity to support the argument for retaining post primary education, in this area.”

Mr Quigley stressed that the school would operate as normal and continue to focus on each child in each class, “providing the best academic and pastoral care possible”.

He added: “Staff, governors, parents and pupils are all part of the consultation process and all of their views and suggestions will be gathered by CCMS during the consultation window, which closes on March 10, 2017.”

A spokesperson for the CCMS said that all responses received in relation to the proposal to close St. Mary’s would be considered before any further steps were taken.

The spokesperson said: “In the event that the proposal proceeds, a formal Development Proposal will be published which will be followed by a further two-month public response period.

“Ultimately, it is the Minister for Education who, when presented with all available information, will make the final decision in relation to the school.”